AS western Jamaica continues to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Red Stripe has remained on the ground, supporting families whose lives and livelihoods were disrupted.

Red Stripe continued its community outreach last week, taking relief to residents of Haughton Grove in Hanover, one of the communities hardest hit by the storm.

Three trucks carrying food, water, cleaning supplies, and care packages were welcomed by residents in the district’s first experience benefiting from organised relief since the hurricane.

Volunteers distributed essential supplies including 200 cases of water, 60 cases of Malta beverages, clothing, cleaning materials provided through a partnership with Paramount Trading Jamaica Ltd, and meal boxes, to help families address their immediate needs while recovery efforts continue.

Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern Andrea Purkiss, who assisted in the distribution, expressed gratitude as residents collected supplies.

“Thank God for companies like Red Stripe. Many families have been waiting days for help,” said Purkiss who had earlier issued a plea for more support for the people of the constituency.

Among the residents of Haughton Grove who benefited from the relief supplies was 72-year-old Lola Dehaney, who has survived every major storm of her lifetime.

“During [Hurricane] Gilbert [1988] I sat on my verandah watching housetops blow off. Ivan [2004] was my father’s name so that hurricane didn’t bother to trouble me. During [Hurricane] Beryl [2024] I went to sleep, and when I got up it was gone, but Melissa was more than an experience,” said Dehaney.

Now sharing a single room with eight relatives, she accepted her package with emotion. “Me feel so grateful for them. God couldn’t send a better gift.”

Nearby, 58-year-old Violet White shared how she has been struggling to contact her daughter in London, England, due to damaged communications and rising living costs.

“Whatever little she has, she will send me, but it rough. This helps ease some of the pressure,” said White.

The Hanover visit followed Red Stripe’s earlier mission across Aldair, Retirement, Belmont, and Whitehouse in Westmoreland.

There, the Beer Love Serves team delivered 500 care packages and 22 water drums, including eight filled with potable water, to support families with cooking and hygiene while utilities remain unstable.

In those communities residents described losing roofs, livestock, and small businesses.

“Wherever I can find a place to sleep, I sleep. I’m grateful for everyone who came to help,” said Karen Bernard of Whitehouse.

Leaders in the region have welcomed the support.

“Every package and donation represents a family supported and a need met,” said Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, Dr Dayton Campbell.

“This level of care from corporate partners is bridging the gap for many,” added Campbell.

Red Stripe has emphasised that its relief work is part of a sustained commitment to recovery.

“As we support national efforts we also want to be hands-on. Our goal is to help communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

“For Red Stripe, the work is as much about presence as it is about supplies. Being here, we’ve seen the devastation but we’ve also seen remarkable strength,” said Head of Corporate Affairs Dianne Ashton-Smith.

“The resilience of these communities inspires us to keep showing up and providing support wherever we can,” added Ashton-Smith.

Red Stripe’s broader contribution includes distributing approximately 1,000 cases of Malta and bottled water through a structured relief programme, supporting the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency management (ODPEM), and enlisting the help of Red Stripe Brand Ambassador Usain Bolt, Dragon Ambassador Masicka, entertainment partner Romeich Major, and Guinness Campaign Ambassador Govana, who are leading outreach in the western parishes.

The company has also donated $15 million to the I Love Jamaica Telethon, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport.

“As families across Hanover and Westmoreland continue the long process of rebuilding, they do so strengthened by partnerships that reflect the true spirit of Jamaica’s neighbours, communities, and companies working side by side toward recovery,” declared Ashton-Smith.

In a touching moment, councillor for the Chester Castle Division in Hanover Wynter McIntosh hugs nanny at the Tryall Club, Yolanda James.

Red Stripe intern Tyler Young (right) hands essential supplies, including antibacterial soap, to Morris Atkins as part of the company’s structured relief programme in Hanover recently.

Resident of Aldair community Troy Wallace (right) assists his elderly cousin Bramwell Boothe with a case of water donated by Pepsi.